Dopamine Improves Low Gamma Activities in the Dorsal Striatum of Haloperidol-induced Motor Impairment Mice

Background/Aim: The dorsal striatum is a brain area integrating information for movement output. The local field potentials (LFPs) reflect the neuronal activity that can be used for monitoring brain activities and controlling movement. Materials and Methods: Rhythmic low gamma power activity (30.1-45 Hz) in the dorsal striatum was monitored according to voluntary motor movement in rotarod and bar tests in 0.5 mg/kg haloperidol-induced mice. Results: Haloperidol can effectively induce movement impairment indicated by decreased low gamma LFP with the lessened rotarod test's latency fall, and the enhanced bar test's descending latency. L-DOPA was used for the induction of a dopamine-dependent signal. The results showed that 25 mg/kg of L-DOPA could reverse the effect of haloperidol by enhancing low gamma oscillation concomitantly with the improvement in behavioral movement as fast as 60 min after administration, suggesting that dopamine signaling increases low gamma frequency of LFP in correlation with the improved mice movement. This work supports quantitative LFP assessment as a monitoring tool to track drug action on the nervous system. Conclusion: In animal models of motor impairment, oral dopaminergic treatment can be effective in restoring motor dysfunction by stimulating low gamma power activity in the dorsal striatum.